What is Hamilton?

Hamilton is a centrally run supercomputer, otherwise known as a HPC (High Performance Computing) service, available for use by researchers at Durham University.   While the service is primarily for research, some taught courses also use Hamilton.  Most of these are postgraduate courses.

Hamilton is a large resource providing the capability to run both large and small simulations, data analyses and other numerical programs on more powerful equipment than typically available as a desktop PC or laptop, but also the capacity to run many at same time. Please be aware that it is a multi-user system, and is not suitable for processing sensitive data.

The machine is operationally run by ARC and overseen by an academic steering group.

To apply to use Hamilton, please fill out the registration form on the CIS service desk system. Your account will normally be ready for use within a few working days, with the same username and password as for your standard University account.

Please see the links to the pages below for more details about the service:

• Systems
• Usage
  • Login
  • File storage
  • Editing files
  • Running jobs
• Software
  • installed software (modules)
  • Advice for using
    • Matlab
    • Perl
    • Python
    • R
    • Compilers
    • MPI
    • Numerical libraries
    • Containers (i.e. Docker/Singularity)
    • Gaussian
    • Gromacs
    • Other applications

Further help on Hamilton can be found by:

• Emailing the ARC Platforms team at arc-rcp@durham.ac.uk
• Contacting the CIS service desk, who will forward your query to us
• Attending one of our Using the Hamilton Supercomputer courses - view the schedule and book a place. 

If you have not previously used Linux, you may find it useful to either attend our introductory linux course, which can be booked using the link above, or to go through a tutorial on the command line interface. For example, the lesson The Unix Shell on the Software Carpentry website.

ARC also offers a number of other courses that may be of help, for example on programming Python and using version control with git to help manage your software.  All current courses can be booked using the link above.

Acknowledging use of Hamilton

Please remember to include the following acknowledgement in any papers, presentations or posters that result from your work on Hamilton:
"This work has made use of the Hamilton HPC Service of Durham University".